EVE Online makers CCP Games say that it is pursuing legal measures after discovering its recently erected Eve Online monument had been vandalized and defaced by unknown persons. The 16ft tall 'Worlds Within a World' monument was unveiled last Wednesday in Reykjavik, Iceland, to commemorate the eleven-year anniversary of the sci-fi space exploration MMO.

The structure was created by artist Sigurður Guðmundsson, and had the names of every active player etched into it. But just a few days after its unveiling a logo of an in-game faction appeared on the monument, while another player has bragged about scratching off the name of a polemical Eve player.

The notorious in-game faction Goonswarm appears to be responsible for the vandalism, if you believe this photo.

Meanwhile, another unnamed player has created a Twitter account claiming responsibility for scratching the gamer handle 'Xenuria' off the monument.

In a recent tweet the unidentified person said, "@Xenuria found your name and lost it again. #tweetfleet #eveonline #evefanfest You're welcome, everyone in eve!"

A representative for CCP Games claims the issue is being handled by local authorities. Eve Online community manager "CCP Falcon" has issued a statement on the Eve forums denouncing the vandalism and promising swift action.

"What's happened is absolutely disgusting. It's an insult to the entire community and is clearly the work a person who believes that behavior in a virtual world is a valid reason to make a real life personal attack on someone, and deface public property," Falcom wrote.

"We will not tolerate this. CCP will investigate and take any action against game accounts, along with any legal action that we feel necessary. This is already in progress."

"This is damage of public property in the City of Reykjavik. The police have been informed, and investigation is ongoing. This is not a laughing matter, and will be dealt with as a criminal offence. We are currently reviewing security footage from a number of surrounding buildings."

Falcon went on to claim that the investigation has already made some progress.

"Thankfully we've already had a number of players come forward to assist us and provide information. Including, we believe, members of the person's own alliance."

The people responsible are now being asked to come forward by CCP, with the promise of what seems like avoiding criminal charges.

"I'll make a simple one time offer, that if the person who defaced the monument wants to come forward and contact me relating to this, then they can do so by Eve mailing my Dev character. If this happens, we'll take it as a gesture of good faith after an extremely stupid act that was committed."